Ellie Taylor will host Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two in 2026, returning to the BBC ballroom four years after competing on the main show with professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
The comedian, actor and television presenter was announced as the new host on Saturday, August 15. She succeeds Fleur East and Janette Manrara when the weekday companion show returns to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer during the 2026 Strictly season.
Taylor’s appointment comes during a wider overhaul of the franchise, with new presenters, professional dancers and celebrities joining Strictly Come Dancing this year.
Ellie Taylor returns to Strictly after competing in 2022
Taylor competed in the 2022 series alongside Radebe, giving her first-hand experience of the rehearsals, live performances, judging and weekly pressure faced by celebrity contestants.
Since appearing on Strictly, she has continued her television career with programmes including Bake Off: The Professionals and The Great Pottery Throw Down.
Her return creates another connection with the main show because Radebe is now part of its new presenting team. He will host alongside Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The Strictly Come Dancing 2026 presenter shake-up represents one of the programme’s biggest on-screen changes in years.
It Takes Two gets a refreshed format for 2026
It Takes Two will continue to provide interviews, training footage and backstage access between the main weekend shows, but the BBC is expanding parts of the format.
The programme will feature longer conversations involving groups of celebrities and professional dancers, including discussions that take participants beyond their regular dance partnerships.
A new alumni panel will bring former contestants back to discuss performances and share their perspective on the competition. Costume designer Vicky Gill will remain involved, while other members of the production team will provide more insight into how routines, costumes and performances come together.
The changes build on the established weekday format rather than replacing it. Interviews, announcements, rehearsal footage and behind-the-scenes material will remain central to the programme.
Strictly Come Dancing is undergoing wider changes
Taylor’s appointment follows a major change at the main Saturday-night show. Daly and Winkleman stepped down after the 2025 series, ending their long-running partnership.
Their departure led to considerable interest in who would replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman before Willis, Widdicombe and Radebe were confirmed as the new presenting team.
Five professional dancers have also joined for 2026: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.
The celebrity cast includes EastEnders actor Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Australian singer Delta Goodrem, former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey and Gavin & Stacey actor Melanie Walters.
Other contestants include Chris Appleton, Will Best, Cach Mercer, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Graeme Hall, Lawrence Robb, John Nellis and winter sports athlete Tabby Stoecker.
What Ellie Taylor brings to It Takes Two
It Takes Two has had several presenters since Claudia Winkleman launched the programme in 2004. Zoe Ball later became its long-serving host, followed by presenters including Rylan Clark, Janette Manrara and Fleur East.
Taylor brings a different perspective because she has experienced Strictly as a celebrity contestant. That background gives her direct knowledge of the training, performances and eliminations she will now discuss with the new cast.
Her appointment and the changes to the companion programme have been detailed in coverage of Ellie Taylor becoming the new It Takes Two host.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September 2026, while Taylor will front It Takes Two on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer throughout the new series.
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